How to Keep Furniture From Scratching Hardwood Floors
Having hardwood floors in your home is a beautiful thing. Having furniture that scratches it up is not so attractive.
Not only does it look bad, but it can be costly to fix. For one, it can decrease your house value if you ever want to sell it, you might have to get your floors refinished or waxed, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Even worse, you might have to get the floors and invest in new flooring!
Lucky for you, we have solutions!
This article will provide the best tips and ways to keep furniture from damaging floors. Follow these tips, and you will never have to worry about this issue again!
How to keep furniture from scratching hardwood floors
Here are the best solutions for how to keep furniture from scratching hardwood floors:
- Get the right kind of flooring from the beginning
- Get furniture with wheels (and invest in a chair mat)
- Use furniture Pads
- Throw down some area rugs
- Don't drag furniture
Get the right kind of flooring from the beginning
If you want to prevent your heavy furniture from ruining your hardwood flooring, get the right wood floors from the beginning.
Different flooring types will prevent the likelihood of your furniture from scratching:
- Solid hardwood floors are the best option as they are much more durable and hard to scratch.
- Engineered hardwood floors (made of both hardwood and plywood) also make good options as they are more stable and less likely to be damaged by furniture.
- Laminate floors can also work well for busy families as they are more resistant to scratches and other damage.
Get furniture with wheels
If you can, get furniture with wheels to prevent furniture scratches on your hardwood floor.
There are a few different types of wheels you can get on your furniture:
- Non marking rubber wheels are the best wheels to use as they won’t leave marks on your floor and are quite durable.
- Soft plastic wheels are good but they won’t last as long as rubber wheels.
- Ball wheels are good for heavier furniture as they roll easily and can hold a lot of weight.
Note: If your furniture does not already have wheels, consider getting furniture casters which are wheels that attach to furniture legs.
Chair mats
For office chairs, you may consider investing in a chair mat.
Chair mats usually come in 2 different types: smooth or cleated. For hardwood floors, tile, vinyl, or linoleum, you're going to want to use the smooth chair mats because the cleated ones will slide around on smooth surfaces and could cause damage to your floor.
Here are the three options you have for smooth chair mats:
PVC/Vinyl
Thin, light, and cheap. Great for home offices. They can be transparent or patterned depending on if you want to show off the hardwood floor beneath or add a nice pattern to your office.
Polycarbonate
Strong and durable. They are ideal for heavier weights and more frequent use, so if you are regularly using your office for work, then this might be the best option for you.
Similar to the PVC option, they come either transparent or patterned.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is the most expensive option of the three. They only come transparent. Of the three options, they are the most durable, reliable, and longest-lasting. They won't curl up on the edges over time, and they are also the most eco-friendly!
So if you're willing to spend a bit more on a longer-lasting option, this could be the one for you.
Use furniture Pads
Another simple and affordable solution is to buy furniture pads. Furniture pads come in felt, cork, or rubber and are suitable for all types of heavy furniture, from the dining table, to office chairs and anything in between.
Felt pads are the most common. A large package cost between $10-$20 and come in a variety of different sizes too for whatever size the leg is on your furniture.
Attaching felt pads to furniture feet is easy.
Start by checking the furniture's feet to make sure there is no obvious dirt on them. You might want to get a wet cloth and give it a quick wipe to make sure there is no dirt.
From there, peel the back off.
Stick it onto the bottom of your furniture feet, and away you go! A quick, easy, and affordable way to prevent your furniture from scratching your hardwood flooring.
You can even make your own from the resources you have at home. Cut up blankets, quilts, or clothing to make your own and save money.
Throw down some area rugs
Arguably the most stylish solution to furniture sliding around on the floor is to throw an area rug down!
Wool rugs are the most durable and will last the longest, so if you want your rug to last for a long time, wool is a good bet. They also work well for high-traffic areas like living rooms. Nylon rugs are the easiest to clean, and silk can be used as a more decorative option.
Not only are area rugs easy to move around and put wherever you want, they will make your feet happy and add that extra layer of comfort that a hard floor doesn't have!
Note: Remember to place a rug pad underneath your area rug to prevent sliding to prevent scratches. Who knows, there might be something sharp under there, and if the rug slides, it could cause a nasty scratch!
FAQ
What to put on furniture to keep from scratching the floor?
One of the best ways to keep furniture from scratching your floor is to use pads or caps under the legs of chairs and tables. Pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any furniture type, and they prevent scratches by providing a cushion between the furniture and the floor.
Additionally, large area rugs are a great way to visually unify a room while also reducing foot traffic noise and protecting the underlying floor from scratches. The bonus of these rugs is that they allow you to add texture and color to your home decor.
Whether you choose pads for individual pieces of furniture or a large rug for the whole room, both options can help keep your floor looking like new for years to come!
How do I keep my chair legs from scratching my hardwood floors?
Keeping chair legs from scratching hardwood floors is important to maintain a beautiful floor:
- The first step is to check the current furniture placement; make sure there isn't any movement if someone stands up or sits down.
- From there, consider adding felt pads to each chair leg to prevent scratches and scuffs. They are very affordable and can be replaced if they become worn out.
- Lastly, it's essential to regularly dust or vacuum around the chairs to maintain cleanliness and reduce the scratching of floors over time.
Taking these easy steps will ensure longer-lasting hardwood floors for years to come.
How do I stop my couch from scratching the floor?
If you're worried about your furniture scratching the floor, don't worry. There are ways to keep it from happening!
The easiest way to protect floors is to purchase furniture pads that can be placed underneath the legs of a sofa or other pieces of furniture. These pads can provide a barrier between furniture and the floor, providing an extra layer of protection while also helping to reduce noise.
Alternatively, if your couch has feet rather than legs, consider investing in glides that can attach directly onto those feet for extra stability and floor protection.
With these simple steps, you will have peace of mind knowing your floors are safe from scratches for years to come!
Don't drag furniture
Whatever you do, try to avoid dragging your furniture around as much as you can. If you have to move your furniture, we would highly recommend attaching glides to the feet of your furniture for the least likelihood of your hardwood floor getting scratched!
Keeping furniture from scratching hardwood floors doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right products, some careful planning, and taking the proper preventative measures, your floors will be well-protected and look beautiful for years to come!
Conclusion
There you have it! The best practical ways how to keep furniture from scratching hardwood floors.
As you can see, there are many options for how to prevent your floor from getting scratched up and dented by your furniture.
You can make sure that your furniture will never leave a permanent mark on your hardwood floors. Whether you choose to get durable flooring, roll back and forth with furniture on wheels, or protect them with felt pads and area rugs, there are lots of great ways for keeping furniture from scratching floors so that you can maintain the beautiful look of your home.
Investing in the right items can prevent long-term damage and put your mind at ease.
Now it's time to ask yourself – how will you protect your hardwood floors?